20. Los Angeles Lakers
Goal: To run and gun like it's 2005.
Intrigue: The Return of Kobe Bryant - Of course it is. I don't know why the Lakers are trying to win when this season could be a year they flop and be gifted Andrew Wiggins (C'mon! You don't think if they were in the bottom 5 at the end of the season there wouldn't be some type of rig in the lottery to gift them the top pick?? It's the Lakers! See: Chris Paul, Dwight Howard) Besides that, the Lakers are pretenders regardless of their attempts to "win" this year and given the teammates Kobe has to play with, when he returns (hopefully healthy) we may get to witness 2006 Kobe all over again which no one minds. If the season is lost why not try and average 35 a game and chase Kareem. Player(s) to Watch: Wes Johnson, Xavier Henry, Shawne Williams, Jordan Farmar -
One man's trash is another man's treasure? These are really rotation guys on this roster, really. Henry and Johnson are at their last chances to make an impression in the league before possibly having to make a career overseas, and Farmar and Williams made their returns to the league after playing international ball last year. There still is potential left unfulfilled by some of these guys and they'll have their chance to prove they belong.
Trade to Consider: (LAL) - Kevin Love, Anderson Varejao, Kyle Lowry
(TOR) - Steve Nash, Kevin Martin, Derrick Williams, Tristan Thompson
(MIN) - Pau Gasol, DeMar DeRozan, Dion Waiters
(CLE) - Rudy Gay, Shabazz Muhammad, Dante Cunningham, Laker's 1st Round Pick '14
*Logic - It's not logical for Minnesota or Cleveland but it's crazy as hell and would be awesome! If for any reason the T'Wolves suck this year and Love gets unhappy, Andrew Bynum is completely healthy (highly unlikely), and the Cavs decide they need to win right now and not go after LeBron in the offseason (most unlikely) then this trade has potential. For the Lakers they get their first building block to pair with Kobe and make Carmelo join. Varejao would be a nice center to possibly sign for cheaper the following season, and Lowry is a good point that expires too and could be re-signed for cheaper next season as well. Toronto gets their legend to finally play at home, and they get two prospects in Williams and Thompson (another Canadian)...and Kevin Martin will keep shooting. Minnesota gets to pair Rubio with his buddy Gasol and DeRozan could be a great running mate for him, and
D̶w̶y̶a̶n̶e̶ ̶W̶a̶d̶e̶ ̶2̶.̶0̶ (slowly but surely regretting that claim..) Dion Waiters!! Cleveland gets a sidekick for Kyrie, Cunningham is big man depth, and Muhammad and draft pick are for the future. It's not that bad when I think about it actually. Let's hope Kevin Love wants out and the Cavs don't want LeBron back, yah. Where They'll Be Come June: Preparing for a big offseason of spending to restore the franchise to its former glory (re-sign Kobe, 1 big free agent, and high lottery pick or flipping lottery pick with Gasol in sign and trade for potential big name in the 2015 free agency *cough Kevin Love *cough?)
19. Atlanta Hawks
Goal: To be San Antonio Spurs East? Get a high draft pick? I don't know who or what they want to be...
Intrigue: The flexibility of this team's goals - If it all works out they can be a sleeper playoff team with a ton of depth. If it doesn't work, they have a ton of tradable assets including Paul Milsap's new and friendly contract with some decent pieces to rebuild with.
Player To Watch: Dennis Schroder - German Rondo, that is all. Trade To Consider: I really don't know! The options are endless, the contracts are friendly, but I don't know the type of team they want to be. If a deal does happen, most likely it will be Milsap, Korver, and Lou Williams getting dealt (all deadline potentials to put a team over the top).
Where They'll Be Come June: In the same place they were last year, stuck in the middle. They're not good enough to make the playoffs but they're not bad enough for a top 10 pick.
18. Denver Nuggets
Goal: Not to decline dramatically despite big overhauls this offseason (new coach, new key players)
Intrigue: Putting together the right rotations with many serviceable players but not enough minutes to offer - It starts with Brian Shaw and his chance to finally be an NBA coach and show he is much more than a triangle disciple. So far I don't like it (see Kenneth Faried's minutes)...
Player to Watch: Quincy Miller - The way he plays and his body size is so similar to KD's and his coach has said he's similar to Paul George so what gives on the playing time? I'm tired of caring about JaVale McGee living up to his "potential" (he's too incompetent to ever live up to it, it's sad), and the rest of this team is pretty boring except for Nate, Ty, Manimal, and Grandpa Andre, so give us someone else to watch Brain Shaw. Play Quincy! Let that boy cook! Trade to Consider: (DEN) - Omer Asik, Terrence Jones, Patrick Beverly, Danny Granger, George Hill
(HOU) - Kenneth Faried, Andre Miller, Ian Mahinmi
(IND) - Ty Lawson, Wilson Chandler, Darrell Arthur
*Logic - Brian Shaw wants a more rugged, defensive, slow-paced style? Then he gets it here. He gets one of the best defensive centers in the league to anchor the team, he gets his point guard that fits his style including Beverly, T-Jones has potential (he just needs playing time to prove it), and Granger will provide scoring they need.
If Shaw won't play Manimal, I know McHale and the Rockets will. He and D-12 working the paint together will be amazing! Throw in Grandpa Andre backing up Lin, and Mahinmi D-12, this becomes my Western Conference favorite.
Indiana gets a change of pace point guard which could be great for their team, Chandler can come off the bench and fill it up, and Darrell Arthur is a good role player.
Where They'll Be Come June: Being that team that won 50 or more games the previous season and not making the playoffs this season. They'll also have a much different roster catered to Shaw than they currently have now.
17. Washington Wizards
Goal: To finally make the playoffs!!
Intrigue: John Wall and Bradley Beal as a potential new best backcourt in the NBA.
Player to Watch: Bradley Beal - Consistency and health are the key to him having a breakout year. He started slow last season but picked it up in the middle, but unfortunately was injured to close out the season. This year he plays the important Robin role to John Wall's Batman and they'll need him to make the leap into one of the top shooting guards (not a deep position in the league anymore) in the league to make a final spot in the playoffs.
Trade to Consider: (WAS) - Rudy Gay
(TOR) - Arron Afflalo, Jan Vesely, Brandon Rush
(ORL) - Richard Jefferson, Kevin Seraphin
(UTA) - Trevor Ariza, Glen Davis, Glen Rice Jr.*Logic - The Gortat deal ended all the potential big men trades I had for this team (Monroe, Z-Bo, etc.) so I'm left with upgrading? their small forward spot if it means winning at all costs. Rudy Gay makes their wing combo really intriguing in their ability to score and even though he may not be the most efficient player, having someone you can throw the ball to in the post or iso in crunch time with that patented fadeaway will be crucial come playoff time.
Toronto gets the underrated Afflalo, the last hope of Vesely, and Rush's 3 point shooting.
Orlando gets expirings (Jefferson potential buyout and Seraphin has potential) to let Oladipo take over at the 2 and Utah gets Ariza who has been on fire to start the year, Big Baby who has always been a decent rotation guy and Glen Rice's baby boy.
Where They'll Be Come June: Fresh off their first playoff appearance since 2008, their cap flexibility allows them to pursuit an upgraded big man over Gortat for a deeper run next year.
16. Cleveland Cavaliers
Goal: Win enough (Get to the 2nd round of the Playoffs) to interest LeBron to come home.
Intrigue: The rise of King Kyrie - Year 3 alert! Yes it is year 3, the hype is at an all-time high. How far will he carry this team?
Player to Watch: Andrew Bynum - Because of this, this, this, this, and this! No actually it's because if he can ever return to form and stay healthy, the Cavs may have found themselves the biggest steal in last year's free agency. Given Bynum's work ethic, past health, and maturity, signs point to him not ever reaching the potential of being the second most dominating center in the league today or even staying healthy enough to be on the court. However, if he does get it all to work, not only would this change where this Cavs team stands this season, but it makes it a very enticing destination for other free agents besides LeBron. As for LeBron, how could he not consider joining forces with Kyrie Irving, either Bennett or Thompson (they must rid one), and healthy Bynum?
Trade to Consider: Cleveland was already involved in one at first and they'll be involved in another one coming up next. They'll be tough to make a trade with because they want as much cap flexibility as possible heading into the offseason. Therefore a trade like: Tristan Thompson & Anderson Varejao for LaMarcus Aldridge would make sense. However Cleveland needs all the money possible to entice LeBron and perhaps another player of his choice. The Aldridge deal wouldn't cap them out (they have the choice to not pick up Bynum's option, CJ Miles is off the books, and they can clear some more cap with some smaller deals) but it would only allow them to sign LeBron. For LeBron, Kyrie would be enticing to play with, but is Aldridge the big he would want? Where They'll Be Come June: Allowing Dan Gilbert to plan an all-out recruitment of LBJ written out all in Comic Sans MS which...actually Uncle Drew and Bynum will pitch the plan fresh off their playoff appearance.
15. Dallas Mavericks
Goal: To be a playoff team reminiscent of a roster with guys like them?! If you can name these 3 guys you get a cookie.
Intrigue: Playing like the Mavericks of 2001-2004 - I know I keep making this team's comparisons to the Mavs teams of the early 2000s but when I look at the roster it is almost just like it! Jose Calderon fills the role of Steve Nash before the MVPs, Vinta Callis are Michael Finley on steroids? Dirk is young Dirk but now old Dirk, Dalembert is this guy holding McGrady's nuts, and Shawn Marion, DeJuan Blair, Devin Harris and bench co. are all those great players Cuban took a chance on regardless of the stink they carried with them as they declined (see: Keith Van Horn, Nick Van Exel, Antoine Walker, Juwan Howard, etc.) This team is meant for maximum enjoyment on NBA Live 2003! If you like a team that scores a lot and is fun to watch that could be much better than expected but can probably not beat the elite teams of the league ever, this is your team. Player to Watch: Gal Mekel - This is Israeli JJ Barea. He stole my heart during the summer league.
Trade to Consider: (DAL) - LaMarcus Aldridge, Wes Matthews
(POR) - Anderson Varejao, Tristan Thompson, Goran Dragic, Jae Crowder
(CLE) - Shawn Marion, Vince Carter, Shane Larkin
(PHX) - Brandan Wright, Dion Waiters
*Logic - Aldridge and Matthews will make the Mavs potential contenders in the West. How they protect the paint will be the only question, scoring won't be. Portland puts together one of those sneaky good teams that go 12 deep. Cleveland gets wing scoring they need for a one year rental ( = cap relief for Bron Bron & I am very convinced by no reason that Bynum is/will be healthy...) and Phoenix gets to pair Bledsoe with Waiters in their starting backcourt. That has me salivating. I am probably the only person excited about that.
Where They'll Be Come June: Ready to try and sign another big free agent this...wait they don't have cap space anymore...oh what, they have Calderon for another 3 years...WHAT THE FUCK they have Monta Ellis for at least 2 more years?!?!? This is what happens when you choose Shark Tank over building your team for the future and even when attempting to make Dwight Howard happen but failing. Damn Cubes, DAMN.
13. Detroit Pistons/New Orleans Pelicans
Goal: Being crazy enough to make it all work and get into the playoffs.
Intrigue: Winning/Building chemistry with new-look rosters with great potential but unpredictable outcomes - With Detroit it's about oversizing teams to death which will be great on defense with Josh Smith playing the 3, but on offense how will it all work? Will Josh Smith be able to be a consistent outside shooter to stretch the floor and open the paint, and which 2-guard is the answer to those spacing issues as well (Chauncey - kind of old, Kaldwell-Pope - rookie, Stuckey - can't shoot)? As for the Pelicans they've got guards galore to compliment Brow Davis but are they the right guards (shoot-first, ball dominant) in creating the perfect chemistry? Hell no, but it will be fun all year long observing the ball movement when Holiday, Gordon, and Evans are on the court together. There might be more dribbles and standing around than an OKC Thunder playoff offense. It will just be interesting to watch both these teams try and make it work. Player(s) to Watch: Det - Andre Drummond - winner of the summer, protector of women, number 1 in your heart. He's so adorable like a giant teddy bear! Yet he's monster on the court. Amare Jr. with defensive prowess is on the way folks.
NO - Jrue Holliday - I wanted to say Bert but that's too easy. He's going to be great. He's next in line to be a superstar big man in the league, but the most important person in getting him to those heights and the rest of the Pelicans to the next level and into the playoffs is Holiday. He has to be a POINT GUARD regardless if it's not his style. 19 shots from your point guard does not cut it. If there's anyone that can fill the role of distributor it's either him or Tyreke, and it's not like he wasn't doing it last year. If someone can cut down on pounding the rock and instead create for others, he's the best man for the job. He can make it all work for the team. Trade to Consider: (DET) - Eric Gordon, Jason Smith
(NO) - Greg Monroe, Rodney Stuckey
*Logic - Let's just have these two teams help each other. Detroit gets an actual shooting guard not Chauncey Billups, and the Hornets get a power forward to compliment Anthony Davis. New Orleans would probably jump at this deal, but Detroit would probably not (No way I would take on 3 years of Eric Gordon at $14 million until he can actually stay on the court).
Where They'll Be Come June: Both successful in making the playoffs, looking to further build their teams through moving the pieces that did not fit during the experimental year.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
Goal: To get these guys to play a full season together without any injuries.
Intrigue: The potential to be much better than expected in a wide open Western Conference - Health and luck goes a long way for this team, seriously. The last time Rick Adelman had a roster that looked this good, it's championship run was derailed by back and knee injuries to T-Mac followed by Yao's foot, and dating further back, knee injuries to Chris Webber (...and Tim Donaghy) derailed his best Kings teams from fulfilling their potential. This roster looks like the perfect Adelman team. He's got a star in Kevin Love, a foreign center as always, a fun point guard to watch, and numerous wings that fit certain roles (if K-Mart, Corey Brewer, Chase Budinger, Derrick Williams, & Alexey Shved were combined into one super player he would be uber athletic, great defensively, can shoot the long ball, and has some potential to be a future all-star, unfortunately each man fills only one or two of those attributes...). If Rubio can make it all gel and Love doesn't get hurt, the Wolves could be knocking on the door of the Western elites. Player to Watch: Ricky Rubio - If Trent Dilfer was a basketball analyst, he would die of a heart attack from the beauty of Rubio's dimes.
Trade to Consider: (MIN) - OJ Mayo, Ersan Ilyasova, Nate Wolters
(MIL) - Kevin Martin, Derrick Williams, JJ Barea
*Logic - This trade really doesn't do much dramatically for either team actually...I just wanted OJ to play for the team that drafted him...and Ilyasova would be an upgrade at small forward over Budinger and Brewer. Wolters has actually looked great to begin the year and he may end up being good enough to be the Bucks' starting point guard so this trade would be declined.
For Milwaukee they get more of a pure scorer in K-Mart, D-Will still has potential (think Sanders, Henson, Williams frontcourt = long/athleticism overload) and Barea will provide offense the Bucks will need.
Where They'll Be Come June: Given the ultimate fate of Rick Adelman's coaching career, having a great regular season but ousted from the playoffs after a hard-fought first round series.
11. New York Knicks
Goal: To outscore the opponent to death en route to an NBA championship (Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha).
Intrigue: Their entire roster...yes that includes you Chris Smith - Despite the fact that this team will play zero defense and rely on Tyson Chandler to protect the paint and nab almost every missed shot, what they lack in toughness and basketball fundamentals, they make up for in entertainment value through the charisma of their players and their style of play. It may not be ok to shoot 30 threes in a game but dammit, watching Ron Artest, Andrea Bargnani, and JR Smith shoot 25 of those and only make 3 combined will be entertaining as hell. Add Carmelo isolations, a shooting guard that can rap, and fat Raymond Felton having to run the show...MY GOD we have basketball porn. They will be fun to watch but once you're done watching you will feel guilty for indulging in such improper basketball. Player to Watch: JR SWISH - When he's not playing basketball, he has a way with words and pictures especially with the ladies. While he does all these wonderful things off the court, on the court he's just as great. Nothing phases this man. He's capable of going Super Saiyan like 10 straight 3s NBA Jam fire-style, but he can also go 1 for 20 ice cold and still take the 21st shot with three guys contesting the shot and shrug it off. That's why I've always loved JR, that's why you should love JR.
Trade to Consider: *RONDO TRADE ALERT
(NYK) - Rajon Rondo, Gerald Wallace, Chuck Hayes, Travis Outlaw
(BOS) - Iman Shumpert, Jimmer Fredette, Pat Patterson, John Salmons, Patty Mills, Corey Joseph, Matt Bonner
(SAC) - Amar'e Stoudemire, Brandon Bass, Jordan Crawford
(SAS) - Raymond Felton, Jason Thompson
*Logic - Rondo could be so much fun to watch on this team (Chandler alley-oops, dishing and swishing to JR, Bargs, Melo etc., gamble steals all the time!) he can average 15 assists a game with what he has to work with. Hayes and Outlaw could fill minutes off the bench, and Crash will be able to play free as a 6th, 7th, or 8th man doing whatever role is required of him on the given night. Tim Hardaway Jr. and JR Smith's new contract makes Shump expendable and getting rid of 2 years of Amar'e's contract for 3 years of Gerald Wallace's contract I guess evens out.
Boston gets a pu pu platter of role players, with Shump and Patterson as the potential prizes (not good enough for Rondo I guess...but who cares the C's get the restart button and John Salmons!). The Kings get Bass to play with Cousins up front, hopefully healthy Stoudemire actually, and the Spurs upgrade depth.
Where They'll Be Come June: Ousted from the first round of the playoffs, the Knicks need to reevaluate whether Melo is the franchise player they need for the future or head in a new direction.
The top 10 teams will be up soon. Keep it posted. Thanks for reading.
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